As restaurants and bars resume operations in some areas of the United States, CDC offers the following considerations for ways in which operators can protect employees, customers, and communities and slow the spread of COVID-19. Restaurants and bars can determine, in collaboration with state and local health officials, whether and how to implement these considerations, making…

Senator Schumer’s move last night to pass an extension of the Paycheck Protection Program in the US Senate resulted in the House of Representatives passing the measure today, sending it to the President’s desk. Here’s the NY Times report: WASHINGTON — The House on Wednesday agreed to extend for five weeks a popular pandemic relief loan…

N.Y. Officials Halt Indoor Dining, Alarmed by Virus Rise in Other States NYC Delays Resumption of Indoor Dining at Restaurants Cuomo says no indoor dining yet for New York City restaurants  

Governor Cuomo and Mayor de Blasio made it official this morning, announcing that indoor dining in New York City will not be allowed as of Monday, July 6th, as was planned. Flagrant non-compliance with physical distancing & face covering rules along with mass gatherings around bars throughout the five boros have raised concerns about a…

Senator Chuck Schumer continues to work to help small businesses get through this crisis. Last night he successfully pushed the US Senate to vote to extend the Paycheck Protection Program…read on:  

A bar brawl is brewing over the to-go cocktail. Since kicking off in March, the Empire State’s coronavirus rule allowing bars and restaurants to sell booze on the go has tested the liquor retailer’s nerves, especially given the multiple 30-day extensions it’s been granted by Gov. Cuomo. Now, two state legislators are calling for the to-go…

There’s a lot we don’t know about the coronavirus, but the science is clear on this: Masks prevent people from catching and spreading the bug. Until there’s a vaccine, everyone should don one when near anyone they don’t live with, especially indoors. Masks have been mandatory in New York since April 17, helping cut the…

New Jersey is “indefinitely” postponing the reopening of its restaurants for indoor dining, Gov. Phil Murphy announced Monday, citing coronavirus spikes in other parts of the country. read on…

Some Big Apple eatery owners said Monday that delaying the reopening of indoor dining would be devastating to their already ailing bottom lines. read on…  

As New York City enters Phase 2 of its reopening, the restaurant industry is starting back up. Nearly 3,200 restaurants qualified and are reopening for outdoor dining under the NYC Open Restaurants program. In addition, the NYC Department of Health released guidelines on dining out safely. It’s noted in the document that restaurants will screen…

Reports of COVID-19 outbreaks out of control in more than 20 states around the country that may have reopened too soon or without appropriate precautions have caused concern with State health officials. It’s clear New Yorkers are as anxious to get back to normal life as folks in every other state. The warm weather has…

June 18, 2020 I am writing to thank all of the businesses throughout the state that are working diligently to comply with the often changing law during these difficult times. I am writing as well as a continued reminder to all on-premises retailers of their obligation to strictly adhere to New York’s reopening guidelines and…